Processing of textiles for imparting simultaneously improved tear resistance and abrasion resistance



J y 9 v. B. CHIPALKATTI ET AL 3,457,026

PROCESSING OF TEXTILES FOR IMPAHTING SIMULTANEOUSLY IMPROVED TEARRESISTANCE AND ABRASION RESISTANCE Filed May 20, 1965 VARIATION OFIMPACT TEAR RESISTANCE AND ABRASION RESISTANCE IN RELATION TO AMOUNT OFSTEAROYL- ESTER OF F3 DIQHLORO- PROPANQL-Z FIXED ON THE FABRIC.v

5 mx ABRASION -39 a. v a

-37 o g 5 I a 8 I00 000 35 i l 4 u E I 9. E u- I I :5 o I z 2 O: I 33 EE m I I 0: a: g 6 E I -31 3; 3 50,000 :3 32 I (J 2 z I "29 5% 5 41 E g I27 2 1 :5 W d c I 25 STEAROYL-ESTER OF I: 3 DICHLORO-PROPANOL-Z FIXED ONTHE FABRIC lnvenlor A ttornvy United States Patent ice 3,457,026PROCESSING OF TEXTILES FOR IMPARTING SIMULTANEOUSLY IMPROVED TEARRESIST- AN CE AND ABRASION RESISTANCE Vasant Bhimrao Chipalkatti,Ramanlal Markandrai Desai, Naranyan Balvantrao Sattur, and IftikharHusaiu,

Delhi, India, assignors to Council of Scientific and In- 7 dustrialResearch, New Delhi, India Filed May 20, 1965, Ser. No. 457,299 Int. Cl.D06m 13/16, 13/00 US. Cl. 8-120 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURESUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a process fortreating cellulosic textile material to impart simultaneously improvedresistance to tear and abrasion. By the term cellulosic textile materialis meant yarns or fabrics containing cellulose fibres either natural orartificial, alone or in admixture with themselves or with othernon-cellulosic fibres.

The fabrics may be knit, woven or otherwise constructed fabrics.

It is well known that cellulosic materials such as those of cotton andregenerated celluloses have lower abrasion resistance than some of thenewer synthetic fibres such as nylon, terylene etc. The abrasion/wearresistance of nylon has been shown to be 3 times more compared to thatof cotton. (E. R. Kaswell, Textile Fibres, Yarns and Fabrics, p. 323,1953). The question of increasing the durability (i.e. tear and abrasionresistance) of cellulosic textile material, therefore, assumes greatsignificance. It is also known and widely accepted that in processesinvolving the use of bifunctional cross-linking agents, carried out toimprove the crease recovery property of cellulosic textiles, the brasionand tear resistance of cellulosic textiles decrease by nearly 60 to 75percent of the original values. (Nuessle, et al. Textile Research J. 25,p. 24 (1955)). The improvement of abrasion and tear resistance ofcellulosic textile material is, therefore, an important aspect ofresearch and innovation.

Hithereto-known processes for improving the abrasion resistance and tearresistance of cellulosic materials consist of those using softening andlubricating agents. (Nuessle et a1. Textile Research I. 25, p. 24(1955), J. P. McNally and F. A. McCord, ibid, 30, pp. 736, 737 (1960)).Waxes, fatty acids, polyethylene emulsions etc. are used for thispurpose. These agents merely give a surface finish and do not chemicallymodify cellulose and, therefore, are generally not durable to washing/dry cleaning. The polyethylene emulsion treatment is in extensive usefor improving the abrasion and tear resistance of cellu- 3,457,026Patented July 22, 1969 losic textile materials particularly those whichare treated with resins and bifunctional cross-linking agents to improvecrease recovery properties. However, the improvement in abrasion andtear resistance brought about by polyethylene emulsion is substantiallyreduced by washing or solvent cleaning. Similar is the behaviour ofother softening agents and lubricants since their durabilty is limited(I. P. McNally and F. A. McCord, loc. cit.).

Some of the other processes for improving abrasion resistance where thetreating agents chemically modify cellulose are cyanoethylation,acetylation and carboxymethylation (C. M. Conrad, J. of TextileInstitute, 50, T133160 (1959)). These, however, improve the abrasionresistance at a high add-on and have not been considered satisfactory.

The significant feature in the present invention is an unforeseenrelationship between tear resistance and abrasion resistance ofcellulosic textile material treated with the chemical compounds cited.One would normally have expected that the increase in abrasion and tearresistance should be in direct proportion to the amount of the compoundfixed on the textile material i.e. both these properties should haveincreased with the increase in the amount of compound fixed. But as canbe seen from Table I, and the figure, whereas the tear resistanceproperty passes through a peak at an optimum concentration of thecombined reactant, the abrasion resistance property goes on increasingcontinuously. I

The objectives and the findings in relation to the foregoing will now bedescribed in detail below:

It is an object of the present invention to provide a process forcross-linking of cellulo sic textile material whereby, the tear andabrasion resistance of the so treated material is considerably improved.Another object of the present invention is to provide a rocess for thetreatment of cellulosic textile material to impart simultaneously amaximal improvement in abrasion resistance and tear resistance. It isalso an object of this invention to provide a Built-in Lubrication inthe treated cellulosic textile material which is resistant towashing/dry cleaning.

We have found that the simultaneous improvement in abrasion resistanceand tear resistance is arrested when the cellulosic textile material istreated with an ester of 1:3-dihalo-propanol-2, the ester group having achain length of not less than 8 carbon atoms, so as to fix above 2% ofthe said ester on the textile, calculated on the bone dry weight of thecellulosic material.

We have further found that when the cellulosic textile material isreacted with the ester of 1:3-dichloro-propanol-2, the ester grouphaving a chain length of not less than 8 carbon atoms, a simultaneousimprovement in the abrasion resistance and tear resistance is obtained,when the combined ester, calculated on the bone dry weight'of thetextile is between 0.8 to 2%. This is clear from the figure, which showsthat when the amount of the combined ester is above 2%, there is asudden and surprising drop in tear resistance. It is also clear from thefigure that if the combined ester is below 0.8%, the relativeimprovement in tear strength is not much.

These findings are detailed in Table No. I and the results aregraphically represented in the figure. The appearance of a peak ormaximum in the curve for tear strength is an indication of the importantand significant nature of the findings.

TABLE NO. I

Flex Percent Tear abrasion add on strength cycles due to filling, warp-Sl. No. Textile material treatment inch/lb. filling Remarks 1 Desizodcasement fabric (original fabric) 20. 7 2, 665

2 Desizcd casement fabric treated with 20% NaOH Loss 0.5% 33. 4 6,050Tear strength and abrasion resistance increase over the original fabric.

3 Dcsized casement fabric treated with 5% of the 1. 0038 30. 4 54, 561Tearstrength and abrasion stcaroyl ester of 1:3-dichloro-propanol-2 inpresence resistance increase over of 20% sodium hydroxide.

4 Treatment similar to (3) but with stearoyl 1. 011 34. 7 75,801Lowering in tear strength ester of 1:3-dicl1loro-pr0panol-2. but mereasoin abrasion resistance as compared 5 Treatment similar to (3) but withstearoyl 3. 0104 34. 0 130, 149 Do.

ester of 1:3-dichloro-propauol-2.

l Tear strength results reported here are in the 95% confidence limit.

2 Tear strength values reported here refer to impact tear and aredetermined on SR1 impact tear tester. (Ranganathan et al.

p. 07, 15th All India Textile Conference Souvenir January, 1958) 3 Theabrasion resistance refers to flex cycles determined on EFT Mark IVA, awear tester developed by Oourtaulds Ltd.,

(Breens and Morton J. Soc. Dyers 001. 71,513 (1955)).

There is another interesting and significant result to be noted inrespect of the abrasion resistance of treated cellulosic material.Unlike the tear resistance, the abrasion resistance does not show thepeak observed for tear resistance. The flex abrasion resistanceincreases from 2,665 cycles to 136,149 cycles with increasing amount (upto 3.6%) of the combined ester of 1:3-dichloropropanol-Z. In tearresistance the value improves from 26.7 inch lbs. to 36.5 inch lbs. is.an improvement of about 37%, whereas the improvement in abrasionresistance is from 2,665 cycles to 136,149 cyclcsan unprecedentedimprovement of about 50 times the original.

This process for treating ccllulosic textile material with an ester ofdihalo-propanol in presence of aqueous alkali/alkaline agent, ischaracterised, according to the present invention, in that the saidester has an ester group having a chain length of not less than eightcarbon atoms and is further characterised in that 0.8 to 2.0 percent ofthe said ester is fixed on the said material, the percentage beingexpressed on the bone dry weight of the said textile material, whereby amaximal simultaneous improvement in abrasion resistance and tearresistance is obtained. The fixing of the said cster(s) on the textilematerial is brought about by impregnating the said material with asolution/ aqueous emulsion of the said ester(s) followed by a treatmentwith alkali/alkaline agent; with or without removal of the organicsolvent/ water. The ester of dihalo propanol used herein is an estereither of 1:3- dihalo-propanol-Z and/or 1:2-dihalo-propanol-3.

An ester or a mixture of esters of 1:3-dihalo-propanol- 2 and/or1:2-dihalo-propanol-3 such as: lauroyl ester of 1:3-dichloro-propanol-2;stearoyl ester of 1:3-dibromopropanol-Z; myristoyl ester of1:2-dichloro-propanol-3; palmitoyl ester of 1-bromo-3-chloro-propanol-2;stearoyl ester of 1:3-dichloro-propanol-2 or the like may be used.

Thus, ester(s) of 1:3-dihalo-propanol-2/1:Z-dihalopropanol-3, having achain length of 14-18 carbon atoms, the halogen atoms preferably beingchlorine, is (are) used. The aqueous alkali/ alkaline agent used mayconsist of one or an admixture of the following: potassium hydroxide,sodium hydroxide, sodium aluminate, sodium zincate or the like. Theconcentration of aqueous alkali/ alkaline agent used in the processvaries from 10 to 40%, preferably in the range of 12 to weight byweight. The process is carried out at a temperature of 0 to 60 C.,preferably in the range of 15 to 35 C.

This process of chemical modification is further characteriscd in thefollowing way:

The cellulosic textile material after treatment with the estcr(s) isfurther treated with aqueous alkali/alkaline agent and wrapped in aninert and substantially vapour impermeable material and kept with orwithout pressure for a period up to about 24 hours, to complete thereaction.

The process described in the present invention has a number ofadvantages.

(i) It imparts high abrasion resistance and improved tear resistance totreated cellulosic textile materials;

(ii) It can be carried out using the available equipment in theindustry;

(iii) The ccllulosic textile material treated by the invented proccssdoes not lose the characteristics of high abrasion resistance andimproved tear resistance on washing/ dry cleaning.

In order to more fully illustrate the invention the following examplesare given:

EXAMPLE 1 600 grams of a carbon tetrachloride solution containing 19.38grams of stearoyl ester of 1:3-dichloro-propanol- 2 was prepared. A 15"x 18" casement fabric with a thread count 55 x 46 and weighting 5.6 oz.per square yard (bleached and unmerceriscd) was padded through thesolution, so as to apply a 155% wet pick up. Thereafter the fabric wasdried to remove the solvent and paddcd through the aqueous solution ofcaustic soda 20% (weight/weight), so as to apply wet pick up. The amountof the stearoyl ester of 1:3-dichloro'propanol-2 applied to the clothwas 5% based on the dry weight of the fabric. After padding through thealkali solution the fabric was wrapped in polyethylene sheet and keptfor 24 hours.

It was then washed with water until free of alkali, soured with 2%acetic acid solution and rinsed with water, and dried at roomtemperature 25 -28 C. These samples were washed with alcohol and otheruntil free from loosely held matter and extracted with benzene insoxhlet for 8 hours. These samples were dried at room temperature to 65%humidity prior to testing. Flex abrasion was measured on B.F.T. MarkIV-A (a Wear Tester developed by Courtaulds Ltd.) by putting 2 lbs.weight (i.e. giving a stirrup tension of 4 lbs.) and 4 lbs. dead weight.Impact tear was measured on SRI impact tear tester. (S. R. Ranganathanet al., p. 67, 15th All India Textile Conference, Souvenir, January1958).

These results of this treatment are already given in Table No. I, Scr.No. 3. From the results it is clear that the impact tear strengthincreases from 26.7 (Original fabric) to 36.4 inch pounds, and theabrasion resistance increases from 2,665 cycles to 54,561 cycles.

EXAMPLE 2 In this case the treatment of the casement fabric was similarto Example 1, except that the treatment with stearoyl ester of1:3-dichloro-propanol-2 was done with 20% instead of 5%. The results ofthis treatment are already given in Table No. I, Ser. No. 5. It is clearfrom the results that as the combined compound increases, the tearstrength and abrasion resistance increase from 26.7 inch lbs. to 34 inchlbs. and 2,665 cycles to 136,149 cycles. But when compared to Example 1,the improvement in tear strength is lowered, whereas the improvement inabrasion resistance is increased.

EXAMPLE 3 270 grams of stearoyl ester of 1:3-dichloro-propanol-2 in1,080 cc. of solvent naphtha (boiling range 90-100 C.), 216 gms. of anonionic emulsifier and 1,350 grams of water Were suitably homogenisedinto an oil-in-water emulsion and stabilised with 450 gms. of a 4%,aqueous solution of hydroxyethyl cellulose. The emulsion obtainedcontained of the stearoyl ester of 1:3-dichloropropanol-2 (w./w.).

1,950 grams of this emulsion was diluted with an equal quantity ofwater. A casement fabric 5 yards long and 12 inches wide with a threadcount 54 x 48 and weighing 5.57 oz. per sq. yard bleached andunmercerised was impregnated in the emulsion and passed through apadding mangle adjusted for a wet pick up of 100%. The impregnation andpadding operations were repeated to ensure uniform treatment. It wasthen dried to 8% moisture content at 30 C. The dried sample wasimpregnated in an alkali bath containing 20% (w./w.) aqueous NaOHsolution and passed through a padding mangle. The padded fabric showed135% alkali take up. It was then wound on a roller and covered withpolythene sheet and kept for 24 hours at 30 C. At the end of 24 hours itwas washed with water until free of alkali and scoured with a nonionicdetergent at boil for -20 minutes and rinsed 3-4 times with hot waterfollowed by cold water washing until free of unreacted matter. It wasthen dried at room temperature. The results of the tests on the treatedfabric are given in the following Table No. II. It is to be noted thateven by using an aqueous emulsion of the ester, the abrasion and tearresistance are considerably and simultaneously improved,

1 Flex Abrasion resistance was tested on a FBI mark IV (developed byCourtaulds) machine using 4 lbs. tension load (i.e. giving a stirruptension of 8 lbs.) and 2 lbs. head load. These samples were extractedwith benzene in soxhlet for 8 hours and were conditioned to humidity at;room temperature prior to testing.

Impact tear strength was tested on the commercial Impact tear testerdeveloped by SRIFIR.

We claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, the reaction product between cellulosictextile material and at least one ester of dihalo-propanol, the esterhaving an ester group of at least 8 carbon atoms and the amount of estercombined being between about 0.8-2.0 percent calculated on the dryweight of the cellulosic textile material, the two halogens of thedihalo-propanol cross-linking the cellulose, said reaction productexhibiting pronounced tear resistance and said reaction product havingbeen produced by reaction under alkaline conditions.

2. The reaction product of claim 1, wherein said ester is at least oneof 1 ;3-dihalo-propanol-2 and 1:2-dihalopropanol-3.

3. The reaction product of claim 2, wherein said ester is at least oneof lauroyl ester of 1:3-dichloro-propanol-2; stearoyl ester of1:3-dibr0mo-propanol-2; myristoyl ester of 1:2-dichloro-propanol-3;palmitoyl ester of 1-bromo-3 chloro-propanol-Z; and stearoyl ester of1:3-dichloropropanol-Z.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 79,882 9/1962 India.

NORMAN G. TORCHIN, Primary Examiner J. CANNON, Assistant Examiner

